Computer Outage Strikes Starbucks Locations Around U.S., Canada
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A computer outage struck Starbucks locations across the United States and Canada late Friday, disrupting sales and forcing some workers to give out free drinks.
Company spokesman Jim Olson said the problem affected 7,000 U.S. stores and 1,000 in Canada. Locations in New York City, including one on West 57th Street in Midtown, were among those affected.
The company said Friday evening that its stores that had not already closed for the evening were closing early. Starbucks said it was working to fix the problem.
Earlier, customers found some stores closed and others offering free coffee.
Customer Suveer Sharma was philosophical at a Seattle store, saying, ``I'm not going to complain about a free cup of coffee.''
At a Starbucks in Phoenix, customers drove away angrily after seeing closed signs.
``I have a sleeping baby in the back and I'm waiting for a prescription,'' said Claudia Larson, 40, of Scottsdale. ``I wanted a coffee! I'm bummed!''
The outage hit the East Coast in the evening and the West Coast in the late afternoon.
Starbucks is busiest in the mornings but has been trying to attract more customers later in the day.
The company said the outage also affected its Evolution Fresh and Teavana stores.
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